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We use the period to denote a decimal separater i.e 5.1
The comma is used to denote multiples of 1,000, or rather 10 to the nth power, i.e 1,231,545.18
which is clear enough.

I think that a comma, except MAYBE when used to display currency amounts i.e $124,95 would be rather confusing, especially when you had to use 3 decimal places.
Is 1,234,567 just that? or is it (in the European manner) 1,234.567

See what I mean, Verne?

Independence is the privilege of a mature mind...not a toy for children to play with.

What I can gather.....
Netherlands is to Europe; as Arkansas is to United States

Not really. More like "as USA is to (North) America."

In Finland we use (or should be using) commas and I think we write 50,000.50 like this: 50 000,50 (50.000,50 is common too -- not too sure about this one). How you should use it on the web depends on the language you use. I guess there are standards in every language for that.

I believe with numbers that contain both comma's and periods the best option is to neglect one of them, depending on your standards.
This would mean 50.000,50(Dutch / European standard) or 50,000.50 (American standard) will be written as 50 000,50 or 50 000.50. These two could be interchanged with each other since they basically imply the same.
Leaving out the marker for thousands and placing and extra space in stead creates some clarification on what the number is supposed to be. Everyone in the world will be able to understand that one I think.